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Welcome to the Central Basketball Association

The Central Basketball Association (CBA) welcomes everyone to the continuance of a fresh concept in the world of minor league basketball. Strong, financially sound teams. Online video rebroadcasts of league games. Detailed & accurate team and individual statistics. Strict adherence to International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules. Taking advantage of technological resources through a user-friendly website and mobile-application. Playing in front of larger media markets. Working directly with agents and scouts as a genuine bridge for players to get overseas contracts in Canada, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and South America. All led under a strong corporate-style management structure.

These attributes one will not find apparent in any other minor league basketball league or organization. Until now. Welcome to the Central Basketball Association.

The eight-week CBA season, which just completed its third successful season, begins at the end of March each year and concludes at the end of May. Following the season, the league works diligently behind the scenes to help its players earn opportunities to try out and secure contracts with international organizations across the globe.

CBA Players Signed Overseas

CBA Quick Facts

84 CBA players have been provided opportunities to play in 26 different countries, leading to 30 players signing professional international contracts, including: 11 in Europe, 8 in North America, 5 in Asia, 3 in South America, and 3 in Australia.

21 overseas contracts were offered after the 2014 season; an increase from 6 contracts after the 2013 season. So far, 3 contracts have been offered early in the 2015 offseason.

The CBA has included nearly 250 former NCAA and NAIA athletes within its member teams over the course of its first three years, including nearly 50 players who had previously played overseas, and 2 former NBA D-League players.

The ownership groups for each member team come from various professional backgrounds including former NFL players, NASCAR drivers, Harlem Globetrotters, minor league baseball players, collegiate athletic directors, and international basketball stars.

The CBA has partnered with the Canadian-based North of the Border Basketball League (NBBL) to showcase the first annual competitive exhibition matchups between the two leagues. The inaugural event resulted in a 100-92 victory by the NBBL over the CBA in Hamilton, Ontario in August 2014. Toronto defeated Fort Wayne, 79-67, in the second matchup in Brantford in March 2015.

After gaining notoriety across North America, the league announced its plan to expand its influence throughout South America with the start of "CBA Brazil" set for October 2015.

Under the CBA's Global Opportunities program, players in the league will have the chance to earn roster spots with foreign clubs with competitive matches in Brazil and the United Arab Emirates during the 2015-2016 offseason.

CBA Quick History

In 2013, the original 4 teams were the Bowling Green Hornets, Middle Tennessee Storm, River City Panthers, and St. Louis Hawks. Each team played 7 regular season games, with the top 2 teams advancing to the title game. The St. Louis Hawks won the regular season title (5-2) and defeated the Bowling Green Hornets 107-96 in the Championship Game in St. Louis. Floyd Irons (St. Louis) was named Coach of the Year; DeMarco Polk (Middle Tennessee) was named League MVP.

In 2014, the CBA expanded to 7 teams: Bowling Green Hornets, Chattanooga Rail Runners, Fort Wayne Flite, Memphis Soul Kings, Middle Tennessee Storm, River City Panthers, and St. Louis Hawks. Each team played 10 regular season games, with the top 4 teams advancing to the post-season. The Chattanooga Rail Runners won the regular season title (8-2), and were the top seed in the post-season, followed by the Middle Tennessee Storm, Fort Wayne Flite, and St. Louis Hawks. Middle Tennessee ultimately prevailed as they defeated St. Louis 106-103 in the Championship Game in Nashville. Rodney English (Chattanooga) was named Coach of the Year; Antonio Cannon (Fort Wayne) was named League MVP.

In 2015, the CBA further expanded to 8 teams: Bowling Green Hornets, Chattanooga Rail Runners, Fort Wayne Flite, Memphis Soul Kings, Middle Tennessee Storm, Mississippi Eagles, Peoria Panthers, and Springfield Sentinels. Each team played 8 regular season games, with the top 8 advancing to the postseason. The Chattanooga Rail Runners won the regular season title (7-1) for a second consecutive season. The final four playoff teams were the Rail Runners, Bowling Green Hornets, Fort Wayne Flite, and Middle Tennessee Storm. Bowling Green defeated Fort Wayne in the Championship game, with a game-winning buzzer beater, to win 97-95, and earn their first ever CBA title. Paul Gaffney (Chattanooga) was named Coach of the Year; Mardracus Wade (Mississippi) was named League MVP.